This year the COUNTY AWARDS for 2013 were presented at the Annual Dinner Dance by Ian King, President of Herefordshire & Worcestershire LTA. The event was held on Saturday 12th October at Worcestershire County Cricket Ground.
2013 JUNIOR VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
For the first time this year we are very pleased to award a Junior Volunteer of the Year
Ben Portman – H D A Tennis Club, Redditch
Tony Ravenscroft has nominated Ben Portman who has been a member of the club for 3 years. Ben is 15 years old and gives up his free time every week to help the younger mini tennis players develop. He is very enthusiastic about his tennis and works hard to help others.
Ben is a good role model to the younger players and he is very good at communicating and organising players during coaching sessions. Ben also helps with festivals and tournament visits, assisting coaches and has been volunteering for last 2 years.
2013 JUNIOR PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR – BROMSGROVE
Bromsgrove Tennis Club have a junior coaching programme with over 200 juniors taking part. The coaches have helped develop the juniors with excellent results in the County Closed and Aegon Team Tennis competition. The programme suits all ages and abilities.
In addition to those children who love competition coaching is offered to those who simply enjoy the game and social side of tennis. The better juniors are invited to join the Performance Programme and an “all girl” session is on offer at all age groups to encourage girls in the sport. The better juniors are encouraged to participate in the adult teams. Bromsgrove currently work with 7 first schools and 5 middle schools. The juniors are also encouraged to be involved with the social side of the Club.
2013 CLUB OF THE YEAR – BROMSGROVE
Bromsgrove Tennis Club is a long standing club within the county which helps play an active part in promoting tennis all levels and ages. The club provides a coaching programme for all abilities both junior and senior. Bromsgrove won the county leader board last year for the large club section. An active social side has raised funds to improve the facilities including helping to refurbish the bar. All courts have been replaced over the last few years as well as other improvements.
The club runs an annual tournament as well as mixed American Tournaments every other month. They promote the club via their website, Facebook page and have a twitter account and are also regularly mentioned in the local press. The success of the club is down to the hard work of the coaches and the committee.
2013 CLUB VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR
Ruth Thompson – Littletons Tennis Club
Ruth has been an active member of Littletons Tennis Club for 15 years and in that time was Chairperson for 10 when she obtained lottery funding for the club which provided two additional courts and a new clubhouse and floodlighting. She has managed the club's website, was ladies captain for 10 years and organised a mixed league. Ruth qualified as a referee and ran for 5 years a Level 4 Junior ratings tournament at the club and also has organised a Charity tournament in aid of Breast Cancer for the last 10 years.
Unfortunately Ruth is unable to join us at the dinner as she is on holiday, but will receive her award in November at the AGM.
Nigel & Judith Truswell – Cutnall Green Tennis Club
Nigel and Judith Truswell have worked incredibly hard for the Cutnall Green Tennis Club for more than 20 years giving their time and effort in a wide variety of ways. They have both been captains for a long time and organise all the fixtures, matches and teams.
They have run the club tournament and a variety of other tournaments and events for many years including the Wimbledon ticket ballot. They organise two club nights a week and team practice and rarely miss a session. They serve on the committee and quietly get on with many other jobs at the club often unnoticed.
Ginny Lowe - County Awards/Dinner Dance Organiser